Reminder: Capitol Campus active threat exercise on June 3 and 4

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) and Department of Enterprise Services DES) would like to remind everyone that the two state agencies will be conducting a joint, two-day active threat readiness exercise on the Capitol Campus Friday, June 3, and Saturday, June 4.

DES is responsible for care and custody of the campus and contracts with the WSP for law enforcement and security services.

During the two-day preparedness drill, state employees, residents and visitors will notice an increase in law enforcement and fire personnel on the campus. On June 3, several groups of first responders will conduct walk-through tours of several buildings on the campus. Besides WSP and DES, first response agencies in Olympia, throughout Thurston County and around the region will also be participating in the exercise.

Most drill activities will occur on Saturday, June 4, when about 200 first responders – law enforcement officers, firefighters and medical units – will be on campus. First responders will also bring about 50 vehicles to support the exercise. Besides WSP and DES, other participating agencies include:

  • Olympia and Lacey police departments
  • Olympia Fire Department
  • Thurston County Sheriff's Office Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team
  • Pierce County Metro SWAT Team
  • Lewis County SWAT Team
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation SWAT Team

While there are no known specific threats to the campus, the training is designed to enhance preparedness, improve coordination and develop consistent response efforts among state, local and federal response agencies should an active threat occur.

First responders will be using the Cherberg, Legislative, O'Brien and Temple of Justice buildings for the exercise. Training will start at 6 a.m. and end around midnight. Some roadways and parking lots on the west campus will be closed for staging people, equipment and vehicles. There will be signage as well as State Troopers near the entrances to the four buildings reminding people to stay clear of the active exercise areas.

The Legislative Building will be open for regularly scheduled weekend hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. but will be closed earlier in the morning and then again later in the afternoon for the indoor training exercises.